Tiger’s blog: Not so fast on budding rivalry with McIlroy

The golf world is craving a rivalry. The golf world wants what Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus gave it decades ago.

But those thinking that Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy will provide it? Not so fast says Woods in a lengthy blog posted on his website (TigerWoods.com) Monday.

“Rory McIlroy had a wonderful year, and my hat is off to him,” Woods wrote. “He deserved Player of the Year. Whether we develop a rivalry remains to be seen. Let’s just let it play out and see where it takes us,” said Woods, who won three times in 2012.

“We’ll look at the results the next five or 10 years and see if it becomes a rivalry or not. We’ll have to win big events and play each other down the stretch. That hasn’t happened yet. We’ve only played each other at Honda down the stretch.

“We need a lot more of those type of battles, but in bigger events.”

Here are other highlights from his thoughts on 2012 and the upcoming 2013 season:

• SHOT OF THE YEAR: No surprise here, as he pointed to his improbable chip-in birdie at the par-3 16th hole at Muirfield Village during the Memorial that propelled him to his second victory of the season.

“For (tournament host) Jack (Nicklaus) to say I don’t think under the circumstances I’ve ever seen a better shot was pretty sweet.”

• ON 2014 RYDER CUP: In his first public comments about Tom Watson’s appointment as captain of the 2014 Ryder Cup squad, Woods congratulated Watson and called it a “really good choice.”

Watson and Woods don’t have the best of relationships, with Watson being critical of Woods’ on-course demeanor.

“He knows what it takes to win, and that’s our ultimate goal. I hope I have the privilege of joining him on the 2014 United States team,” Woods said.

• BEST CHRISTMAS PRESENT: In maybe the blog’s best nugget, Woods revealed that his kids are “excited about the holidays.” What was Woods’ most memorable gift? Space Legos.

• LOOKING AHEAD TO 2013: Per normal, Woods says he has his eyes on the big four tournaments – the Masters, U.S. Open, Open Championship and PGA Championship. He hasn’t won one of those titles since 2008.

“I’m just trying to win those big four tournaments, and obviously try to use other events to prepare for them and try to win them, as well,” Woods said. “I’ve had to alter my practice schedule because my kids come first. They’re my No. 1 priority.

“It takes a little better time management on my part to figure all that out, but I expect to play a similar number of events.”